RICK METHOT: Watch for snakes on your summer vacations

That would be the annual rattlesnake roundup in Noxen, Pennsylvania, held last weekend.

I was en route to my Pennsy camp to square the place away for my wife and sister-in-law who were coming up for the 4th of July holiday week.

I would rather clean the gutters and have my teeth ground than be at the lake for the 4th. Bottle rockets set off by mindless yahoos at 9 in the morning? No thanks. The best time at the lake is after Labor Day when the summer loonies go home.

Meanwhile, I’m heading down the road trying to loosen my load, without seven women on my mind, when I spot the rattlesnake roundup signs.

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Forget a Trenton pork roll festival, a wussie event with the main attraction tasting like overrated Spam. These are snakes, baby, that can kill you.

The story was front-page news with six color photos inside. Hey, it’s the boonies. Tomato blight is front-page news.

The roundup, now heavily regulated like anything else a government agency digs its grungy paws into, resulted in 71 snakes captured. This included 28 rattlesnakes and six copperheads. They were displayed, and released.

I have no problem with that. I have a problem with the state telling me I have to set free slithering death that can kill me or my children.

I don’t like snakes and (Disclaimer: I know all aren’t bad; some are benficial) will shoot one on sight. Sue me.

What drives me nuts is some reporter for the local weekly anticipating her next big assignment, a tractor pull at the county fair, labeling rattlesnakes and copperheads as “poisonous” snakes.

Folks, let it be known to all in the land that snakes that can inflict bodily harm and even death with their bite are “venomous” snakes. “Poisonous” means you could die if you eat them.

Did I mention tastes like chicken? They do.

But this is the summer travel and camping season, and rattlesnake on the grill is not what you’re thinking about. Fresh caught bass or trout perhaps or just hot dogs and burgers fill the mind.

A hike in the woods to add to the outdoor experience? Fine, bring the bug repellent and perhaps an air horn to ward off pesky bears.

The latter is at least big and visible. Snakes are not.

There are some 20 species of creepy crawlers in New Jersey. Two can kill you. So can bears, but there are still lunatics out there who think they just sing and dance in the woods and are our friends.

They, like snakes, inhabit woods and fields for a living and don’t much appreciate humans intruding on their turf.

The two kinds of snakes here in New Jersey that should concern you if you’re hiking about our fine state parks or local trails are the Northern Copperhead and the Timber Rattler.

Chances are you will never see either, if you watch where you’re putting your feet or hands while climbing over woodsy and rocky terrain, or perhaps a woodland stream.

According to a story by my friend and colleague, Vin Sparano, some 6,500 people are bitten by venomous snakes annually. Only 15 of them die, which is a comforting statistic unless you’re one of the 15.

What to do if bitten by a rattler or copperhead?

First, don’t panic. This would not apply to me, whose first reaction would be, “OMG, I’m going to die!”

But the real drill to survival is to take it easy, walk out of the woods to your vehicle and off to the nearest hospital.

If you can identify the snake that did you wrong (doubtful), all the better for the professionals trying to save your sorry skin. It helps to get to health care pros as soon as possible. Tie a bandage above the bite, but don’t cut off blood flow.

The main advice in the really remote chance you are bitten by a venomous snake is get professional help — and you have time to do so.

But don’t dilly-dally.

Teen times

The state is hosting its 11th annual Teen Angler Youth Day on July 19 at the Pequest Hatchery from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine.

The event is open to anglers ages 12 to 20 and is free. Rainbow trout to 6 pounds can be caught. Bring a cooler if you want to take fish home.

Lunch will be provided. Bring worms — for fishing, not lunch. Check www.njfishandwildlife.com for more details.